Well-Rounded Life Program
- Paula Allia
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
If you want to start a fitness program for yourself or your children, what would be the right path to take? Preferably, one would start an exercise program younger in life. Being active and involving children in activities early can help develop a habit that they can take with them through life. Though the types of exercises change over time, being involved in fitness does provide a good chance of being healthier throughout life. Physical activities help a child develop the neuromuscular system. The movement of muscles and the nervous system coordinate together using sensors and pathways. The sensors in muscles provide information to the peripheral nervous system (PNS: all of the nerves that run to the spinal cord.) The central nervous system (CNS: spinal cord and brain) responds to this stimulus and sends information back down through the spinal cord to the PNS to allow for a response of the muscle. This development allows for the development of coordination, strength, balance, and purposeful movement. These systems are enhanced with the right stimuli and movement.
It has been drilled home that exercise has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, obesity, and heart health. Exercise should be like brushing your teeth! You may not always like it, but it feels really good after it is done. What actually causes that really good feeling? Remember that exercise is not only weight training. Participation in dancing, rowing, tennis, pickleball, cycling, and even laughing out loud and singing can all stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s own endogenous opiates.
If you participate daily in some form of exercise, the body can actually crave the activity. These endorphins (chemical hormones in the body) can be released. These endorphins make one feel good, satisfied, allowing for better moods, sleep, less pain, and an overall sense of happiness.
Endorphins are released with moderate exercise. It does not need to be a super strenuous workout. It is all relative to one’s physical condition. Many things can cause these feel-good endorphins to be released. Participating in other activities such as massage, meditation, or acupuncture can even have a positive effect on the mood. It is all about creating activities that stimulate you.
Some people push themselves to work out by themselves. Others find it more stimulating to work with someone. An example of this is running. Some people can run solo and feel that runner's high, while others like conversation with others to get through a run.
If you need a little boost to get yourself going with an exercise program, there are some thoughts to ponder.
What is the body image that you see in yourself?
What are your goals?
What activities do you think you might like?
What types of exercise are you familiar with, and what types would you like to try?
What motivates you in life?
It is never too late to develop an activity program. It has actually been discussed that if you did not participate in exercise at a younger age, starting later can still have the same positive effects on overall health. This is so important because some people think it is too late, but it is certainly not! Find your way. If you function better with people, find a buddy to join you! New year, new you!
Here’s to your health!
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